Beth Mooney’s 58-run knock led Gujarat to 174 runs:Shree Charani bags four wickets for Delhi; DC need 175 runs to win

Gujarat Giants put up a fighting total of 174/9 against Delhi Capitals, but it may not be enough to seriously trouble a strong, batting-heavy DC lineup. On a good batting surface, the Giants showed intent from the start. Yet, regular wickets and a brilliant bowling spell from Shree Charani ensured Delhi never completely lost control of the innings. The innings began with early aggression, and Gujarat looked set for a big score during the middle overs. However, Delhi Capitals struck at crucial moments, slowing the momentum just when the Giants seemed ready to accelerate. Despite a late flourish, Gujarat finished slightly short of an imposing total. With the ball gripping and turning later in the innings, Delhi Capitals will walk into the chase with confidence, knowing they have already done much of the hard work. With a challenging but chaseable target on the board, the focus now shifts to the Delhi Capitals’ batting. The second innings will decide whether Gujarat’s effort is enough or if Delhi’s strong batting lineup makes light work of the chase. Sophie Devine departs early, Anushka maintains momentum high Sophie Devine came out with positive intent, hitting a few crisp boundaries to give Gujarat Giants a lively start. However, her stay was cut short in the third over when Marizanne Kapp produced a beauty that knocked back the middle stump. Devine departed for 13, giving Delhi Capitals an early breakthrough and settling their nerves. Despite Devine’s dismissal, Gujarat maintained momentum through Anushka Sharma, who played fluently and looked in excellent touch. She struck eight boundaries in her 39 off 25 balls, dominating the powerplay and putting pressure back on the bowlers. Mooney anchors, Sharma supports for Gujarat Beth Mooney played the key role in holding the innings together. Calm, composed, and technically sound, she paced her knock beautifully, reaching a well-earned fifty. Mooney’s 58 off 46 balls included seven boundaries and ensured Gujarat stayed competitive even as wickets fell around her. Anushka Sharma and Mooney shared a valuable partnership that steadied the innings after the early loss. However, once Anushka was dismissed while attempting a slog-sweep, Gujarat struggled to build another long stand. Shree Charani turns the game with four wickets for Delhi The turning point of the innings was Shree Charani’s outstanding spell. The left-arm spinner bowled with great control and variation, picking up four wickets and breaking Gujarat’s momentum in the middle and death overs. Her ability to slow the pace and extract turn proved crucial on this surface. She dismissed key batters including Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Kashvee Gautam, and Kanika Ahuja, finishing with figures of 4/31. Supported well by Nandni Sharma and Chinelle Henry, Delhi kept Gujarat under pressure throughout. Late surge from Tanuja takes Giants past 170 in 20 overs Just when Gujarat looked set to finish below par, Tanuja Kanwer provided a late boost with a quick cameo of 21 off just 11 balls. Her innings included three fours and a six, pushing the total close to the 175 mark. However, she fell on the final ball, caught by Shree Charani, as Gujarat ended on 174/9.